The foremast was then transferred directly to HMS Daring, where fitting out will be completed. The major element of the foremast is to house the Sampson multi-function radar suite, which will be linked to the ship's Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS).

VT has already installed some 12,000m of cable inside the 19m high mast, with 800 different cables and 400 pipes included in the structure.

VT's Type 45 project director John Richardson said, 'Because of the crucial nature of the structure in relation to the ship's operational capability, it has been built to extremely tight tolerances to minimise radar cross section.

Inside the mast there is a highly sophisticated network of cables which has involved a demanding outfit integration task.'

This is the third foremast that VT has built for the Type 45 destroyer programme following previous structures delivered to BAE Systems'Maritime Support Integration Centre (MISC) at Portsdown Hill, near Portsmouth, and the test facility on the Isle of Wight where the Sampson radar is being developed.

VT Shipbuilding is building the bow sections, funnels and main masts of the six Daring Class ships so far ordered.

MJ Information No: 21830